Thirukkural 521 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
பற்றற்ற கண்ணும் பழைமைபா ராட்டுதல்
சுற்றத்தார் கண்ணே உள.
Transliteration
Patratra Kannum Pazhaimaipaa Raattudhal
Sutraththaar Kanne Ula
Modern English
“True relatives and close friends keep showing care even when someone has lost money or status.”
Modern Interpretation
True relatives and close friends keep showing care even when someone has lost money or status. For example, a family may welcome a relative home after a failed business instead of valuing them only for what they owned.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
True relatives and close friends keep showing care even when someone has lost money or status.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Let fortunes go; yet kinsmen know The old accustomed love to show
G.U. Pope Translation
When wealth is fled, old kindness still to show,Is kindly grace that only kinsmen know
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Even when (a man's) property is all gone, relatives will act towards him with their accustomed (kindness)
Tamil commentary
ஒருவன் பிடிமானம் ஏதும் இல்லாமல் எல்லாம் இழந்த நிலையில் இருந்தபோதும், அவனுடன் தங்களுக்கு உள்ள பழந்தொடர்பைக் கூறுவது சுற்றத்தாரிடம் மட்டுமே உண்டு.
Chapter 53
More from Cherishing Kinsmen
சுற்றந் தழால்
Let fortunes go; yet kinsmen know The old accustomed love to show
Kural 522The gift of loving Kins bestows Fadeless fortune's fresh flowers
Kural 523A kinless wealth is like a tank Which overflows without a bank
Kural 524The fruit of growing wealth is gained When kith and kin are happy found
Kural 525Loving words and liberal hand Encircle kith and kin around
Kural 526Large giver and wrathless man Commands on earth countless kinsmen
Kural 527The crows hide not; thy call and eat Welfare abides a man of heart
Kural 528From public gaze when kings perceive Each one's merits so many thrive
Kural 529Forsaken friends will come and stay When cause for discord goes away
Kural 530Who leaves and returns with motive The king should test him and receive